Cell contacting system for an electrochemical device

Abstract

Cell contacting system for an electrochemical device (100) comprising several cell groups (102), each comprising one or more electrochemical cells (104), wherein each electrochemical cell (104) has a first cell terminal (120) and a second cell terminal (122), wherein the electrochemical cells (104) follow one another along a longitudinal direction (114) of the electrochemical device (100), the first cell terminals (120) of the electrochemical cells (104) in a first cell terminal area (126) of the electrochemical device (100) follow one another along the longitudinal direction (114) and the second cell terminals (122) of the electrochemical cells (104) follow one another in a second cell terminal area (128) of the electrochemical device (100) along the longitudinal direction (114), wherein the cell contacting system (140) comprises at least one cell connector (142) for electrically connecting cell terminals of a first cell group (102a) with cell terminals of a second cell group (102b), wherein the cell connector (142) comprises a first contact area (148) for contacting the cell terminals of the first cell group (102a) and a second contact area (150) for contacting the cell terminals of the second cell group (102b) and wherein at least one cell connector (142) extends obliquely to the longitudinal direction (114) from cell terminals (120) of the first cell group (102a) in the first cell terminal area (126) to cell terminals (122) of the second cell group (102b) in the second cell terminal area (128), characterized by that at least one cell connector (142) is provided with beads or bends (184) running substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction (114).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cell contacting system for an electrochemical device comprising several cell groups, each comprising one or more electrochemical cells, wherein each electrochemical cell has a first cell terminal and a second cell terminal, wherein the electrochemical cells follow one another along a longitudinal direction of the electrochemical device. the first cell terminals of the electrochemical cells follow one another in a first cell terminal area of ​​the electrochemical device along the longitudinal direction and the second cell terminals of the electrochemical cells follow one another along the longitudinal direction in a second cell terminal area of ​​the electrochemical device, wherein the cell contacting system comprises at least one cell connector for electrically connecting cell terminals of a first cell group to cell terminals of a second cell group and wherein the cell connector comprises a first contact area for contacting the cell terminals of the first cell group and a second contact area for contacting the cell terminals of the second cell group.

[0002] In known electrochemical devices with cell contacting systems of the type described above, prismatic electrochemical cells are arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction of the electrochemical device such that, in each cell terminal region, cell terminals of positive polarity and cell terminals of negative polarity alternate along the longitudinal direction of the electrochemical device. To create a series connection of these electrochemical cells, two adjacent cell terminals of opposite polarity are electrically connected to each other by means of a cell connector. This connector extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the electrochemical device from one cell terminal to the other and is fixed to both cell terminals, for example, by welding or screwing.

[0003] It is known that in such cell contacting systems, to compensate for relative movements between the electrochemical cells, for example due to different thermal expansion, the cell connector is provided with a compensating element, for example in the form of a shaft.

[0004] However, if the space available between the cell terminals to be connected is limited, the geometry of such a compensating element is subject to strict restrictions, which limits its functionality.

[0005] DE 10 2011 109 238 A1 discloses a cell contacting system according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0006] DE 10 2009 050 316 A1 and DE 10 2013 207 356 A1 disclose cell contacting systems with cell connectors that are stamped from thin metal sheets and have a wave structure with one or more waves whose wave crests run perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of a connection area of ​​the respective cell connector.

[0007] US 2010 / 0 266 887 A1 discloses cell contacting systems with planar cell connectors that extend obliquely in sections to a longitudinal direction of an electrochemical device, wherein the cell connectors are neither provided with beads nor with bends.

[0008] The present invention is based on the objective of creating a cell contacting system of the type mentioned above which reliably enables relative movement between the cell terminals of the electrochemical device to be electrically connected, even when the distances between the cell terminals following one another in the longitudinal direction of the electrochemical device are small.

[0009] This problem is solved by a cell contacting system according to claim 1.

[0010] The present invention is therefore based on the concept of not connecting the cell terminals of the electrochemical cells at least partially by means of cell connectors extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the electrochemical device within the same cell terminal area, but by means of one or more cell connectors which extend obliquely to the longitudinal direction from the first cell terminal area to the second cell terminal area.

[0011] Due to this wiring of the current path in an oblique or diagonal direction within the cell contacting system, the cell terminals of different polarities, which are electrically connected to each other by the respective cell connector, are spatially far apart, so that enough space remains between the contact areas of the cell connector to provide compensating or balancing elements on the cell connector, or such compensating elements can even be dispensed with entirely, since relative movements between the connected electrochemical cells can be absorbed by a deformation of the intermediate area of ​​the cell connector between the contact areas of the cell connector.

[0012] In particular, it may be provided that the cell connector includes an intermediate area connecting the first contact area and the second contact area, the longitudinal axis of which is oriented obliquely to the longitudinal direction of the electrochemical device.

[0013] Furthermore, it may be provided that such an intermediate area includes lateral edges which are oriented obliquely to the longitudinal direction of the electrochemical device.

[0014] Preferably, the longitudinal axis and / or one or more lateral edges of the intermediate area enclose an angle of more than 10° with the longitudinal axis.

[0015] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the longitudinal axis and / or one or more lateral edges of the intermediate area form an angle of less than 80° with the longitudinal direction of the electrochemical device.

[0016] The longitudinal axis and / or one or more lateral edges of the intermediate area of ​​the cell connector preferably run substantially parallel to a contact plane of the electrochemical device in which the contact surfaces of the cell terminals of the electrochemical device are located.

[0017] The intermediate area may have one or more compensating or balancing elements, for example compensating waves, but may also be essentially flat, without such compensating or balancing elements.

[0018] In a particular embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that at least one cell connector extends from cell terminals of the first cell group to cell terminals of a second cell group immediately adjacent to the first cell group.

[0019] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that at least one cell connector of the cell contacting system extends from cell terminals of the first cell group to cell terminals of a second cell group that is not directly adjacent to the first cell group.

[0020] In this case, it is preferably provided that the at least one cell connector extends over a further cell group of the electrochemical device arranged between the first cell group and the second cell group.

[0021] Such a diagonal or oblique interconnection of the cell groups, skipping one or more cell groups through the cell connector, offers the advantage of an improved and, in particular, more homogeneous temperature distribution within the electrochemical device.

[0022] In a particular embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the electrochemical cells of the electrochemical device are arranged between two end faces of the electrochemical device, which are oriented transversely, preferably substantially perpendicularly, to the longitudinal direction of the electrochemical device and are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the electrochemical device, wherein the cell contacting system has two current connections of different polarity.

[0023] For easy connection of the cell contacting system to an external power source and / or to an external consumer, it is advantageous if the two power connections terminate on the same end face of the electrochemical device.

[0024] Alternatively, it can also be provided that the two electrical connections terminate at different end faces of the electrochemical device, in particular at opposite end faces of the electrochemical device.

[0025] The two electrical connections of the cell contacting system are preferably both arranged in the same plane, which preferably runs parallel to a contact plane of the electrochemical device in which the contact surfaces of the cell terminals of the electrochemical cells of the electrochemical device are located.

[0026] The cell contacting system can comprise several cell connectors which do not overlap and, in particular, do not cross over each other, especially when viewed perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the electrochemical device and perpendicular to the contact plane of the electrochemical device in which the contact surfaces of the cell terminals are located.

[0027] Preferably, it is provided that all cell connectors of the cell contacting system do not overlap.

[0028] In particular, it can be provided that, in the assembled state of the cell contacting system, all cell connectors of the cell contacting system lie in the same plane, which is preferably aligned parallel to the contact plane of the electrochemical device.

[0029] Alternatively or additionally, the cell contacting system may include at least two cell connectors that cross over each other, particularly when viewed perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the electrochemical device and perpendicular to the contact plane of the cell terminals of the electrochemical device in which the contact surfaces of the cell terminals are located.

[0030] In order to reliably prevent electrical contact between the intersecting cell connectors even in the event of relative movement of the intersecting cell connectors, for example in the case of shocks or vibrations occurring during the operation of the electrochemical device, it may be provided that at least one electrically insulating insulating element is arranged between at least two intersecting cell connectors.

[0031] Furthermore, it may also be provided that a power connection of the cell contacting system and at least one cell connector of the cell contacting system cross over each other.

[0032] The electrochemical cells of the electrochemical device can each be equipped with a degassing outlet in order to allow gases generated in the electrochemical cell during operation of the electrochemical device to escape through the degassing outlet and thus prevent the formation of overpressure in the housing of the electrochemical cell in question.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one cell connector in the assembled state of the cell contacting system crosses at least one degassing outlet of an electrochemical cell and is provided with a gas guidance channel section in the crossing area.

[0034] Such a gas guide channel section can, for example, be formed by a recess or bulge provided on the cell connector.

[0035] Such a gas guide channel section creates an additional volume between the cell connector and the electrochemical cell, through which any gas escaping from the degassing outlet can flow away.

[0036] Alternatively or additionally, the cell contacting system may include a carrier element on which several cell connectors of the cell contacting system are arranged, wherein the carrier element, in the assembled state of the cell contacting system, crosses at least one degassing outlet of an electrochemical cell and is provided with a gas guidance channel in the crossing area.

[0037] Such a gas guidance channel can be formed in particular by a recess or bulge provided on the support element.

[0038] The gas guide channel preferably extends in the longitudinal direction of the electrochemical device to at least one end face of the same, so that any gas escaping from the degassing outlets of the electrochemical cells can flow out of the electrochemical device through the gas guide channel of the support element over at least one end face of the electrochemical device.

[0039] The support element is preferably made of an electrically insulating material in order to maintain electrical insulation between the cell connectors of the cell contacting system.

[0040] In order to allow relative movements between cell terminals of the same polarity, which are electrically connected to a cell connector, it may be provided that at least one cell connector has at least one recess in at least one of its contact areas, which separates two sections of the contact area intended for contacting different cell terminals of the same cell group.

[0041] Such a recess can, for example, take the form of a gap or slot.

[0042] Alternatively or additionally, to enable relative movement between the cell terminals of the same cell group, it may be provided that at least one cell connector has at least one elastically and / or plastically deformable compensation section in at least one of its contact areas, which connects two sections of the contact area intended for contacting different cell terminals of the same cell group.

[0043] In a particular embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one cell connector of the cell contacting system has been separated from a planar, in particular from a plate- or band-shaped, starting material, which comprises a first material section made of a first material for forming at least one contact area of ​​the cell connector and at least one second material section made of a second material for forming an intermediate area of ​​the cell connector connecting the contact areas of the cell connector.

[0044] In particular, it may be provided that several cell connectors of the cell contacting system have been separated together from the planar starting material.

[0045] Preferably, the cell connectors of the cell contacting system form a conductor assembly after being cut out of the starting material, which can be handled as a unit, so that when assembling the cell contacting system on the electrochemical device, all cell connectors of the cell contacting system can be brought into contact simultaneously with the respective cell terminals of the electrochemical cells of the electrochemical device.

[0046] In this arrangement, the cell connectors in the conductor assembly are first preferably connected to each other in one piece by connecting elements, in particular in the form of connecting bridges.

[0047] The connecting elements of the electrical conductor assembly are preferably detached from the cell connectors and removed from the cell contacting system only after the cell connectors have been arranged on a support element, in order to establish the necessary electrical insulation between the cell connectors. Following the detachment of the connecting elements, the assembly consisting of the support element and the cell connectors arranged on it is mounted to the cell terminals of the electrochemical device.

[0048] Alternatively, it can also be provided that the conductor assembly is placed in a cutting tool in which the connecting elements are separated from the cell connectors, and that the cell connectors are then moved from the cutting tool to the cell terminals of the electrochemical device by means of a gripping device, for example a multi-gripper, and mounted on them.

[0049] The first material of the first material section and the second material of the second material section are preferably different from each other.

[0050] In particular, it may be provided that the first material contains aluminium as its main component and / or the second material contains copper as its main component.

[0051] The main component of a material is the element that has the largest weight fraction in the material in question.

[0052] The first material section and the second material section of the starting material can be joined together in a material-bonded manner, for example by cold rolling cladding.

[0053] Furthermore, in addition to the first material section and the second material section, the planar starting material can include a third material section made of a third material to form at least one further contact area of ​​the cell connectors.

[0054] Preferably, the third material of the third material section is identical to the first material of the first material section.

[0055] The second material section of the planar starting material is preferably arranged between the first material section and the third material section.

[0056] By simultaneously separating the cell connectors of the cell contacting system (and optionally also the electrical connections of the cell contacting system) from a flat starting material containing several material sections made of different materials, the production of the cell contacting system and its assembly on the electrochemical device is significantly simplified and accelerated.

[0057] By using different materials in the flat base material, the materials for the contact areas on the one hand and for the intermediate areas of the cell connectors on the other hand can be optimally selected, for example a first material with the main component aluminum for simple, preferably pure, welding with the cell terminals, and a second material with the main component copper to achieve the highest possible electrical conductivity in the intermediate area of ​​the cell connectors.

[0058] This concept can also be used independently of the diagonal or oblique interconnection of the cell terminals of the electrochemical device.

[0059] The present invention therefore also relates to a cell contacting system according to the preamble of claim 1, which has the additional features of claim 16 and optionally the additional features of claim 17, claim 18 and / or claim 19.

[0060] The cell contacting system according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in combination with an electrochemical device comprising several cell groups, each comprising one or more electrochemical cells, wherein each electrochemical cell has a first and a second cell terminal, wherein the electrochemical cells follow one another along a longitudinal direction of the electrochemical device, the first cell terminals of the electrochemical cells follow one another along the longitudinal direction in a first cell terminal region of the electrochemical device, and the second cell terminals of the electrochemical cells follow one another along the longitudinal direction in a second cell terminal region of the electrochemical device.

[0061] The first cell terminals of the electrochemical cells can all have the same polarity (negative or positive), or the first cell terminals of the longitudinally successive cell groups can have alternating polarities.

[0062] Similarly, the second cell terminals of the electrochemical cells can all have the same polarity (positive or negative), or the polarities of the second cell terminals of the cell groups following one another along the longitudinal direction can alternate.

[0063] The cell contacting system according to the invention may in particular have the following advantages or features: A gas guidance channel can be integrated into the cell contacting system, through which gas escaping from the electrochemical cells via degassing outlets can flow away.

[0064] Diagonally or obliquely connected cell connectors, which have a larger surface area due to their greater length, exhibit better cooling properties. In particular, it is possible to connect an external cooling system more effectively to these large-area cell connectors.

[0065] Decoupling between cell terminals of the same polarity within a cell group is possible through recesses and / or compensation elements provided in the contact areas of the cell connectors.

[0066] Signals required for cell monitoring, for example for voltage and / or temperature monitoring, can all be taken from one end face of the electrochemical device or preferably from the same (parallel to the longitudinal direction of the electrochemical device) longitudinal side of the electrochemical device, whereby in the latter case the number of components required and the necessary work steps are reduced.

[0067] The integration of one or more power connections into the cell contacting system is possible.

[0068] The cell connectors and, if applicable, the electrical connections of the cell contacting system can be made from a flat base material composed of different materials, for example from an - preferably single-layer - aluminum / copper / aluminium strip.

[0069] In a direction perpendicular to a contact plane of the electrochemical device in which the contact surfaces of the cell terminals are located, several layers of material can be stacked on top of each other in order to produce multilayer cell connectors with the desired current-carrying capacity.

[0070] The electrochemical device can be designed in particular as an accumulator, for example as a lithium-ion accumulator.

[0071] If the electrochemical device is designed as a battery, it is particularly suitable as a high-capacity energy source, for example for powering motor vehicles.

[0072] All polarities mentioned above or below (negative or positive) can also be interchanged.

[0073] Further features and advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the graphic representation of exemplary embodiments.

[0074] The drawings show: Fig. 1. A perspective view of an electrochemical device comprising several cell groups arranged between two end walls, each group comprising several, for example three, electrochemical cells, each electrochemical cell having a first and a second cell terminal, the electrochemical cells following one another along a longitudinal direction of the electrochemical device, the first cell terminals of the electrochemical cells following one another in a first cell terminal region of the electrochemical device along the longitudinal direction, and the second cell terminals of the electrochemical cells following one another in a second cell terminal region of the electrochemical device along the longitudinal direction; Fig. 2 a top view of the electrochemical device Fig. 1, with the viewing direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the electrochemical device and perpendicular to a contact plane of the cell terminals; Fig. 3. A top view of the electrochemical device from the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 after the assembly of a first embodiment of a cell contacting system, which comprises several cell connectors for electrically connecting cell terminals of a first cell group to cell terminals of a second cell group, wherein the respective cell connector comprises a first contact area for contacting the cell terminals of the first cell group and a second contact area for contacting the cell terminals of the second cell group, and wherein the respective cell connector extends obliquely to the longitudinal direction of the electrochemical device from cell terminals of the first cell group in the first cell terminal area to cell terminals of the second cell group in the second cell terminal area; Fig. 4 one of the Fig. 3. A corresponding view of the electrochemical apparatus and the cell contacting system, wherein the cell connectors and current terminals of the cell contacting system are shown transparently to allow the polarity of the cell terminals of the electrochemical apparatus contacted by means of the cell contacting system to be seen; Fig. 5. A top view of a plate- or strip-shaped starting material from which the cell connectors and electrical terminals of the cell contacting system are made. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are separable, wherein the starting material comprises a first material section made of a first material (for example, aluminium) to form a first contact area of ​​the cell connectors, a second material section made of a second material (for example, copper) to form an intermediate area of ​​the cell connectors connecting the contact areas of the cell connectors to each other, and a third material section, preferably made of the first material (for example, aluminium), to form a second contact area of ​​the cell connectors; Fig. 6 that by jointly separating from the plate- or strip-shaped starting material from Fig. 5 manufactured cell contacting systems; Fig. 7 a top view of a second embodiment of the cell contacting system, in which several cell connectors of the cell contacting system in the assembled state of the cell contacting system each cross at least one degassing outlet of the electrochemical device and are provided with a gas guide channel section in this crossing area; Fig. 8 a cross-section through the cell contacting system Fig. 7, along line 8 - 8 in Fig. 7; Fig. 9 a top view of a third embodiment of the cell contacting system, in which the cell contacting system comprises a carrier element on which several cell connectors and / or power terminals of the cell contacting system are arranged, wherein the carrier element in the assembled state of the cell contacting system crosses degassing outlets of electrochemical cells of the electrochemical device and is provided with a gas guidance channel in this crossing area; Fig. 10 a cross-section through the cell contacting system Fig. 9, along line 10 - 10 in Fig. 9; Fig. 11 a fourth embodiment of the cell contacting system in which the cell connectors each have several recesses in their contact areas, which each separate two sections of the respective contact area which are intended for contacting different cell terminals of the same cell group; Fig. 12 a top view of a fifth embodiment of the cell contacting system, in which the cell connectors in their contact areas each have several elastically and / or plastically deformable compensation sections, which each connect two sections of the respective contact area, which are intended for contacting different cell terminals of the same cell group; Fig. 13 a longitudinal section through the cell contacting system from Fig. 12, along line 13 - 13 in Fig. 12; Fig. 14 a perspective view of a second embodiment of an electrochemical device comprising several cell groups, each comprising several, for example three, electrochemical cells, wherein each electrochemical cell has a first and a second cell terminal, wherein the electrochemical cells follow one another along a longitudinal direction of the electrochemical device, the first cell terminals of the electrochemical cells follow one another in a first cell terminal region of the electrochemical device along the longitudinal direction, and the second cell terminals of the electrochemical cell follow one another in a second cell terminal region of the electrochemical device along the longitudinal direction.wherein all first cell terminals of the electrochemical cells have the same (e.g. negative) polarity and all second cell terminals of the electrochemical cells also have the same polarity (e.g. positive polarity); Fig. 15 a top view of the electrochemical device Fig. 14, with the viewing direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the electrochemical device and perpendicular to a contact plane of the cell terminals; Fig. 16 a top view of a sixth embodiment of the cell contacting system in which the cell connectors of the cell contacting system cross each other; Fig. 17 one of the Fig. 16. A corresponding view of the electrochemical apparatus and the cell contacting system, wherein the cell connectors and the power terminals of the cell contacting system are shown transparently to allow the polarity of the cell terminals contacted with the cell connectors and power terminals respectively to be seen; Fig. 18 a top view of the cell contacting system from the Fig. 16 and Fig. 17, without the electrochemical device; Fig. 19 a cross-section through the cell contacting system Fig. 18, along line 19 - 19 in Fig. 18; Fig. 20 a top view of a seventh embodiment of the cell contacting system in which intersecting cell connectors are electrically separated from each other by an insulating element; Fig. 21 a cross-section through the cell contacting system Fig. 20, along line 21 - 21 in Fig. 20; Fig. 22 a top view of the electrochemical device from the Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 and an eighth embodiment of the cell contacting system comprising a current connection extending from one end face of the electrochemical device across the cell connectors of the cell contacting system to the other end face of the electrochemical device; Fig. 23 one of the Fig. 22 corresponding view of the electrochemical apparatus and the cell contacting system, wherein the cell connectors and current terminals of the cell contacting system are shown transparently to allow the polarity of the cell terminals contacted with the cell connectors and the current terminals respectively to be seen; Fig. 24 a top view of the electrochemical device from the Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 and a ninth embodiment of the cell contacting system in which the cell connectors and current terminals of the cell contacting system do not cross each other and the two current terminals of the electrochemical device terminate on different end faces of the electrochemical device; Fig. 25 one of the Fig. 24 corresponding view of the electrochemical apparatus and the cell contacting system, wherein the cell connectors and current terminals of the cell contacting system are shown transparently to allow the polarity of the cell terminals contacted with the cell connectors and the current terminals respectively to be seen; Fig. 26 a top view of a tenth embodiment of the cell contacting system, in which the cell connectors each have several elastically and / or plastically deformable compensation sections in their contact areas, each connecting two sections of the respective contact area, which are provided for contacting different cell terminals of the same cell group, and in which the cell connectors each have an elastically and / or plastically deformable compensation section in their intermediate area, which connects the two contact areas of the respective cell connector, which allows a relative movement between a section of the first contact area of ​​the cell connector, which is associated with a first cell terminal in the first cell terminal area of ​​the electrochemical device, and a section of the second contact area of ​​the cell connector,which is assigned to a second cell terminal in the second cell terminal area of ​​the electrochemical device; and, Fig. 27 a longitudinal section through the cell contacting system from Fig. 26, along line 27 - 27 in Fig. 26.

[0075] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are designated with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0076] One in the Fig. 1 and Fig. The electrochemical device shown in Figure 2, designated as a whole by 100, comprises several cell groups 102, six in the illustrated embodiment, each of which comprises several electrochemical cells 104, three in the illustrated embodiment.

[0077] Each of the electrochemical cells 104 has a prismatic, in particular substantially cuboid, housing 106, wherein the housing 106 has two opposing wide side surfaces 108, two opposing long narrow side surfaces 110 and two opposing short narrow side surfaces 112.

[0078] The electrochemical cells 104 of the electrochemical device 100, for example of a battery module, follow one another in a longitudinal direction 114 of the electrochemical device 100, wherein each pair of electrochemical cells 104 following one another in the longitudinal direction 114 with one of their broad side surfaces 108 essentially planar and preferably essentially congruently abut each other.

[0079] The cohesion of the electrochemical cells 104 of the electrochemical device 100 is generated by two end plates 116, the main surfaces of which are oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 114 and parallel to each other and which are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction 114, wherein the electrochemical cells 104 of the electrochemical device 100 are arranged between the two end plates 116.

[0080] The two end plates 116 are preferably clamped against each other by several, for example two, tension elements 118, for example in the form of tension anchors, tension plates or tension bands, which are fixed to both end plates 116, so that the end plates 116 exert a contact pressure on the electrochemical cells 104 of the electrochemical device 100 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction 114.

[0081] Each of the electrochemical cells 104 has a first cell terminal 120 and a second cell terminal 122, wherein the first cell terminal 120 and the second cell terminal 122 have different polarities (negative or positive).

[0082] The first cell terminal 120 and the second cell terminal 122 both protrude from the housing 106 of the respective electrochemical cell 104 via the same long narrow side surface 110, which is hereinafter referred to as the terminal side surface 124 of the electrochemical cell 104.

[0083] The terminal side surfaces 124 of all electrochemical cells 104 of the electrochemical device 100 are arranged parallel to each other and substantially aligned with each other on the same side of the electrochemical device 100, so that the first cell terminals 120 of all electrochemical cells 104 of the electrochemical device 100 follow one another in a first cell terminal area 126 of the electrochemical device 100 along the longitudinal direction 114 and the second cell terminals 122 of all electrochemical cells 104 of the electrochemical device 100 follow one another in a second cell terminal area 128 of the electrochemical device 100 along the longitudinal direction 114.

[0084] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The first cell terminal area 126 and the second cell terminal area 128 are each marked by rectangles bounded by broken lines.

[0085] Each of the electrochemical cells 104 further comprises a degassing outlet 130 with a degassing valve 132 arranged on the terminal side surface 124 between the first cell terminal 120 and the second cell terminal 122.

[0086] Preferably, the degassing outlets 130 of all electrochemical cells 104 of the electrochemical device 100 follow one another in a degassing area 134 of the electrochemical device 100 along the longitudinal direction 114 of the electrochemical device 100.

[0087] The degassing area 134 is located in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is also marked as a rectangle enclosed by broken lines.

[0088] The first cell terminals 120 and the second cell terminals 122 of the electrochemical cells 104 of the electrochemical device 100 preferably project by the same height above the terminal side surfaces 124, so that the substantially planar contact surfaces 136, on which the cell terminals 120, 122 terminate, all lie substantially in the same plane, which is hereinafter referred to as the contact plane 138 of the electrochemical device 100.

[0089] In order to connect the cell groups 102 of the electrochemical device 100 electrically in series and to be able to connect the electrochemical cells 104 to an external power source or to an external load, the electrochemical device 100 is equipped with a Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 cell contacting system 140 shown, which comprises several, in the illustrated embodiment five, cell connectors 142 for electrically conductively connecting cell terminals of a first cell group 102a with cell terminals of a second cell group 102b.

[0090] Furthermore, the cell contacting system 140 comprises two current connections 144, each of which is connected to cell terminals of a cell group 102c located at the beginning of the series connection or to cell terminals of a cell group 102d located at the end of the series connection and whose free ends 146 are led beyond an end plate 116 of the electrochemical device 100 in order to be contacted in the outer space of the electrochemical device 100 by an electrical conductor (not shown).

[0091] During the Fig. In the embodiment of the electrochemical device 100 and the cell contacting system 140 shown in Figures 1 to 6, the two current terminals 144 are arranged on the same end face of the electrochemical device 100.

[0092] The cell connectors 142 of the cell contacting system 140 each comprise a first contact area 148 for contacting the cell terminals of the first cell group 102a and a second contact area 150 for contacting the cell terminals of the second cell group 102b.

[0093] Furthermore, each of the cell connectors 142 includes an intermediate area 152 connecting the first contact area 148 and the second contact area 150.

[0094] In the case of several, for example four, cell connectors 142' of the cell contacting system 140 from the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 a longitudinal axis 153 of the intermediate area 152 extends obliquely to the longitudinal direction 114 of the electrochemical device 100, so that the cell connector 142' in question extends obliquely to the longitudinal direction 114 from cell terminals of the first cell group 102a in the first cell terminal area 126 to cell terminals of the second cell group 102b in the second cell terminal area 128.

[0095] In one of the cell connectors 142, which is hereinafter referred to as cell connector 142'', the longitudinal axis 153' of the intermediate region 152' extends parallel to the longitudinal direction 114 of the electrochemical device 100, so that this cell connector 142'' extends parallel to the longitudinal direction 114 from cell terminals of the first cell group 102a' in the first cell terminal region 126 to cell terminals of the second cell group 102b'', which are also arranged in the first cell terminal region 126.

[0096] How best to Fig. As can be seen in Figure 4, in which the cell connectors 142 and current terminals 144 of the cell contacting system 140 are shown transparently in order to reveal the polarity of the underlying cell terminals 120, 122 of the electrochemical cells 104, the cell connectors 142', which extend obliquely to the longitudinal direction 114 from the first cell terminal area 126 to the second cell terminal area 128, extend from cell terminals of the first cell group 102a to cell terminals of a second cell group 102b not directly adjacent to the first cell group 102a, wherein the respective cell connector 142' extends over a third cell group 102e of the electrochemical device 100 arranged between the first cell group 102a and the second cell group 102b.

[0097] How best to Fig. As can be seen in Figure 4, the electrochemical cells 104 in the electrochemical device 100 are arranged such that the first cell terminals 120 arranged in the first cell terminal area 126 of successive cell groups 102 in the longitudinal direction 114 of the electrochemical device 100 have alternating polarities.

[0098] Thus, the first cell terminals show 120 of the in Fig. 4 cell group 102 arranged on the far left 1 a negative polarity, the first cell terminals 120 of the following second cell group 102 in the longitudinal direction 114 2 a positive polarity, the first cell terminals 120 of the following third cell group 102 in the longitudinal direction 114 3 a negative polarity, the first cell terminals 120 of the fourth cell group following in the longitudinal direction 114 102 4a positive polarity, the first cell terminals 120 of the fifth cell group following in the longitudinal direction 114 102 5 a negative polarity and the first cell terminals 120 of the sixth cell group following in the longitudinal direction 114 102 6 a positive polarity.

[0099] Consequently, the second cell terminals 122 of the successive cell groups 102 arranged in the longitudinal direction 114 also exhibit alternating polarities in the second cell terminal area 128 of the electrochemical device 100.

[0100] Thus, the second cell terminals show 122 of the first cell group 102. 1 a positive polarity, the second cell terminals 122 of the second cell group 102 2 a negative polarity, the second cell terminals 122 of the third cell group 102 3 a positive polarity, the second cell terminals 122 of the fourth cell group 102 4a negative polarity, the second cell terminals 122 of the fifth cell group 102 5 a positive polarity and the second cell terminals 122 of the sixth cell group 102 6 a negative polarity.

[0101] By means of the cell contacting system 140 described above, the cell terminals 120, 122 of the six cell groups 102 in the illustrated embodiment, each comprising three electrochemical cells 104, are connected in series with each other.

[0102] Such a series circuit is also referred to as an msnp circuit, where m denotes the number of cell groups 102 connected in series and n denotes the number of electrochemical units per cell group 102.

[0103] In the Fig. The embodiment shown in 1 to 6 is therefore a 6s3p circuit.

[0104] In this series circuit, the negative current terminal 144a is connected to the negative second cell terminals 122 of the second cell group 102. 2 tied together.

[0105] The second cell connector 142 2 connects the positive first cell terminals 120 of the second cell group 102 2 with the negative second cell terminals 122 of the fourth cell group 102 4 .

[0106] The fourth cell connector 142 4 connects the positive first cell terminals 120 of the fourth cell group 102 4 with the negative second cell terminals 122 of the sixth cell group 102 6 .

[0107] The fifth cell connector 142 5 connects the positive first cell terminals 120 of the sixth cell group 102 6 with the negative first cell terminals 120 of the fifth cell group 102 5 .

[0108] The third cell connector 142 3connects the positive second cell terminals 122 of the fifth cell group 102 5 with the negative first cell terminals 120 of the third cell group 102 3 .

[0109] The first cell connector 142 1 connects the positive second cell terminals 122 of the third cell group 102 3 with the negative first cell terminals 120 of the first cell group 102 1 .

[0110] The positive second cell terminals 122 of the first cell group 102 1 are connected to the positive current terminal 144b of the cell contacting system 140.

[0111] Since the cell connectors 142 and the power connections 144 of the cell contacting system 140 are made from the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. If the cell connectors 142 and the current terminals 144 of the cell contacting system 140 do not overlap each other (as seen in a viewing direction 154 perpendicular to the contact plane 138) and are all arranged in the same plane parallel to the contact plane 138 of the electrochemical device 100, the cell connectors 142 and the current terminals 144 of the cell contacting system 140 can be jointly separated from a planar starting material, preferably from a metallic starting material, in particular from a sheet material, for example by punching or cutting out.

[0112] A suitable starting material is in Fig. 5 shown and is preferably designed as a plate- or strip-shaped hybrid material comprising a first material section 156 made of a first material for forming the first contact areas 148 of the cell connectors 142' which extend obliquely to the longitudinal direction 114 and the two contact areas 148 and 150 of the cell connector 142'', a second material section 158 made of a second material for forming the intermediate areas 152 connecting the two contact areas 148 and 150 of the cell connectors 142' to each other and a third material section 160 made of a third material for forming the second contact areas 150 of the cell connectors 142'.

[0113] The first material section 156, the second material section 158 and the third material section 160 are preferably designed as strips of material running in the later longitudinal direction 114 of the cell contacting system 140.

[0114] The second material section 158 made of the second material is preferably arranged between the first material section 156 made of the first material and the third material section 160 made of the third material.

[0115] The first material of the first material section 156 and the third material of the third material section 160 are preferably identical to each other.

[0116] In a preferred embodiment, the first material contains aluminum as its main component and / or the second material contains copper as its main component.

[0117] The main component of a material is the element whose weight fraction in the material in question is the largest.

[0118] The first material section 156 and the second material section 158 of the starting material 155 are preferably joined together by a material bond, for example by cold rolling cladding.

[0119] Likewise, the third material section 160 and the second material section 158 of the starting material 155 are preferably joined together by a material bond, for example by cold rolling cladding.

[0120] Fig. Figure 6 shows how the cell connectors 142 and current terminals 144 are separated from the hybrid starting material 155 in the same relative positions that these elements occupy in the cell contacting system 140 mounted on the electrochemical device 100.

[0121] In these relative positions, the cell connectors 142 and power connections 144 are initially held by (not shown) connecting elements, in particular in the form of connecting bridges, which connect the cell connectors 142 and the power connections 144 in one piece and are cut out of the starting material 155 together with them.

[0122] The connecting elements are preferably separated from the cell connectors 142 and the power connections 144 after the cell connectors 142 and the power connections 144 have been arranged on a (not shown) support element, for example by punching, and removed from the cell contacting system 140 in order to provide the required electrical insulation between the cell connectors 142 and power connections 144.

[0123] Following this, the in Fig. 6 shown current conductor assembly during the assembly of the electrochemical device 100 at the cell terminals 120, 122 of the electrochemical cells 104.

[0124] Alternatively, it can also be provided that the conductor assembly, after being cut out of the starting material 155, is placed in a (not shown) cutting tool in which the connecting elements are separated from the cell connectors 142 and the electrical terminals 144, for example by punching, wherein the cell connectors 142 and the electrical terminals 144 are then moved from the cutting tool to the cell terminals 120, 122 of the electrochemical device 100 by means of a (not shown) gripping device, for example by means of a multi-gripper.

[0125] Subsequently, in both cases, the cell connectors 142 and current terminals 144 are electrically contacted with the respective cell terminals 120, 122 of the electrochemical cells 104, preferably by material bonding, in particular by welding, for example by laser welding, ultrasonic welding or friction stir welding.

[0126] This completes the assembly of the cell contacting system 140 on the electrochemical device 100.

[0127] One in the Fig. 7 and Fig. The second embodiment of the cell contacting system 140, as shown in Figure 8, differs from the one described in the Fig. 3 to 6 of the first embodiment in that the cell connectors 142' and at least one of the current connections 144 cross the degassing area 134 of the electrochemical device 100 and preferably at least one degassing outlet 130 of an electrochemical cell 104 and are each provided with a gas guide channel section 162 in this crossing area.

[0128] Each gas guide channel section 162 can be formed by a recess or protrusion 164, which increases the distance of the cell connector 142 or electrical connection 144 from the terminal side surface 124 of the electrochemical cell 104 crossed in the area of ​​the gas guide channel section 162, so that an additional volume is created through which gas escaping from the degassing valves 132 can flow out.

[0129] The aligned gas guide channel sections 162 of the cell connectors 142' and the electrical connections 144 together form a gas guide channel 166 extending along the longitudinal direction 114, which extends to at least one end face of the electrochemical device 100, so that any gas escaping from the degassing valves 132 can flow out of the electrochemical device 100 over the respective end face.

[0130] However, due to the gaps necessary for electrical insulation between adjacent cell connectors 142 and power connections 144, this gas guide channel 166 is not completely closed, but has gaps through which gas can escape from the gas guide channel 166 between two cell connectors 142, between two power connections 144 or between a cell connector 142 and a power connection 144.

[0131] Moreover, the one in the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 second embodiment of the cell contacting system 140 with regard to structure, function and manufacturing method compared to the one described in the Fig. The embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 6 is identical, and reference is made to the preceding description of these figures.

[0132] One in the Fig. 9 and Fig. The third embodiment of the cell contacting system 140, as shown in Figure 10, differs from the one described in the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 second embodiment in that the cell contacting system 140 comprises a support element 168, for example in the form of a support plate 170, on which the cell connectors 142 and current connections 144 of the cell contacting system 140 are arranged.

[0133] The cell connectors 142 and / or the electrical connections 144 can be fixed to the carrier element 168, for example, by press fit, by locking, by crimping, by bonding or in another way by material connection, form connection or force connection, in order to be handled together with the carrier element 168 as a unit.

[0134] The support element 168 is formed from an electrically insulating material to maintain electrical insulation between the cell connectors 142 and the power terminals 144 of the cell contacting system 140.

[0135] The support element 168 preferably comprises an electrically non-conductive plastic material, for example PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PP (polypropylene), PA (polyamide), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) and / or LCP (“Liquid Crystal Polymer”), and is preferably formed essentially entirely from such a plastic material.

[0136] A particularly suitable material for the support element 168 is a talc-reinforced polypropylene material (for example, the material designated PP TV20). Due to the talc reinforcement, this material exhibits particularly high dimensional stability.

[0137] As from the Fig. 9 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 10, a gas guide channel 166 is preferably formed on the support element 168, which extends in particular in the longitudinal direction 114 to at least one end face of the electrochemical device 100, and especially preferably to both end faces of the electrochemical device 100.

[0138] The gas guide channel 166 can, for example, be designed as a recess or as a bulge 172 in the support element 168.

[0139] The gas guidance channel 166 formed on the support element 168 preferably crosses all degassing outlets 130 of the electrochemical cells 104 of the electrochemical device 100, so that any gas escaping from the degassing valves 132 can flow out of the electrochemical device 100 through the gas guidance channel 166 of the support element 168 via at least one end face of the electrochemical device 100.

[0140] The gas guide channel 166 formed on the support element 168 extends without interruption between its two ends adjacent to the end faces of the electrochemical device 100, so that no gas can escape from the gas guide channel 166 between the ends of the gas guide channel 166.

[0141] The cell connectors 142 and electrical connections 144 of the cell contacting system 140 are each provided in their areas adjacent to the gas guide channel 166 of the carrier element 168 with a recess or protrusion 164 adapted to the cross-section of the gas guide channel 166 in order to be able to place the respective cell connector 142 or the respective electrical connection 144 onto the carrier element 168.

[0142] Moreover, the one in the Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 third embodiment of the cell contacting system 140 with regard to structure, function and manufacturing method compared to the one described in the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 corresponds to the second embodiment shown, to the foregoing description of which reference is made in this respect.

[0143] One in Fig. The fourth embodiment of the cell contacting system 140, as shown in Figure 11, differs from the one described in the Fig. 3 to 6 of the first embodiment, in that the cell connectors 142 and current terminals 144 of the cell contacting system 140 each have one or more recesses 174 in their contact areas 148, 150, which in particular may each have the form of a gap or slot 176 and each separate two sections 178 of the respective contact area 148, 150, which are provided for contacting different cell terminals 120, 122 of the same cell group 102.

[0144] This mechanically decouples these sections 178 of the contact areas 148, 150 from each other, so that movement of these sections 178 of the contact areas 148, 150, which are assigned to different electrochemical cells 104, relative to each other is enabled in the operation of the electrochemical device 100 and / or for tolerance compensation during the assembly of the cell contacting system 140.

[0145] Moreover, the in Fig. The fourth embodiment of the cell contacting system 140, as illustrated in 11, differs in its structure, function and method of manufacture from that shown in the Fig. The first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 6 is identical, and reference is made to its preceding description.

[0146] One in the Fig. 12 and Fig. The fifth embodiment of the cell contacting system 140, as shown in Figure 13, differs from the one described in the Fig. 1 to 6 of the first embodiment in that the cell connectors 142 and current terminals 144 each have several elastically and / or plastically deformable compensation sections 180 in their contact areas 148, 150, each of which connects two sections 178 of the respective contact area 148, 150, which are provided for contacting different cell terminals 120, 122 of the same cell group 102.

[0147] For this purpose, the compensation section 180 may in particular have one or more compensation waves 182 extending transversely, preferably substantially perpendicularly, to the longitudinal direction 114 of the electrochemical device 100.

[0148] Alternatively or additionally, each compensation section 180 can have a cross-section taken along the longitudinal direction 114, which includes at least a U-shape, S-shape, Ω-shape and / or meander shape.

[0149] Such a compensation section 180 enables a relative movement of the two sections 178 of a contact area 148, 150 connected by the respective compensation section 180 during operation of the electrochemical device 100 and / or for tolerance compensation during assembly of the cell contacting system 140.

[0150] In this embodiment of the cell contacting system 140, preferably only one of the sections 178 of a contact area 148, 150, which is assigned to one of the cell terminals 120, 122 to be contacted, is connected to the intermediate area 152 of the respective cell connector 142, wherein the intermediate area 152 is correspondingly narrower than in the Fig. The first embodiment of the cell contacting system 140 is shown in Figures 1 to 6. This ensures that the movement of the other sections 178 of the respective contact area 148, 150, which are not directly connected to the intermediate area 152, is not hindered relative to the one section 178 which is directly connected to the intermediate area 152.

[0151] Moreover, the one in the Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 shows the fifth embodiment of the cell contacting system 140 with regard to structure, function and method of manufacture with the one described in the Fig. The first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 6 is identical, and reference is made to its preceding description.

[0152] One in the Fig. 14 and Fig. The second embodiment of the electrochemical device 100, as shown in Figure 15, differs from the one described in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 first embodiment shown in that the polarities of the first cell terminals 120 of the electrochemical cells 104 arranged in the first cell terminal area 126 of the electrochemical device 100 do not alternate, but all coincide with each other.

[0153] In particular, all first cell terminals 120 of cell groups 102, for example, can have a negative polarity.

[0154] Consequently, in this embodiment of the electrochemical device 100, all second cell terminals 122 of the electrochemical cells 104 arranged in the second cell terminal area 128 of the electrochemical device 100 also have the same polarity.

[0155] In particular, the second cell terminals 122 of cell groups 102 can, for example, exhibit a positive polarity.

[0156] Moreover, the one in the Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 embodiment of the electrochemical device 100 with regard to structure, function and method of manufacture with the one described in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 first embodiment shown, to the foregoing description of which reference is made in this respect.

[0157] One in the Fig. The sixth embodiment of the cell contacting system 140, illustrated in sections 16 to 19, serves to contact the cell terminals 120, 122 of the electrochemical cells 104 in a series connection where the Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 second embodiment of the electrochemical device.

[0158] How best to Fig. As can be seen in Figure 17, in which the cell connectors 142 and the current connections 144 of the cell contacting system 140 are shown transparently in order to allow the polarities of the cell terminals 120, 122 arranged below to be recognized, in the embodiment shown here a 6s3p circuit of the six cell groups 102, each consisting of three electrochemical cells 104, is produced as follows: The negative current connection 144a is connected to the negative first cell terminals 120 of the second cell group 102. 2 connected. The positive second cell terminals 122 of the second cell group 102 2 are connected by means of the first cell connector 142 1 with the negative first cell terminals 120 of the fourth cell group 102 4 connected. The second cell connector 142 2 connects the positive second cell terminals 122 of the fourth cell group 102 4 with the negative first cell terminals 120 of the sixth cell group 102 6The third cell connector 142 3 connects the positive second cell terminals 122 of the sixth cell group 102 6 with the negative first cell terminals 120 of the fifth cell group 102 5 The fourth cell connector 142 4 connects the positive second cell terminals 122 of the fifth cell group 102 5 with the negative first cell terminals 120 of the third cell group 102 3 The fifth cell connector 142 5 connects the positive second cell terminals 122 of the third cell group 102 3 with the negative first cell terminals 120 of the first cell group 102 1 The positive current terminal 144b is connected to the positive second cell terminals 122 of the first cell group 102. 1 tied together.

[0159] In this embodiment of the cell contacting system 140, the cell connector 142 extends 3 of cell terminals of the sixth cell group 102 6oblique to the longitudinal direction 114 of the electrochemical device 100 up to cell terminals of the sixth cell group 102 6 immediately adjacent fifth cell group 102 5 .

[0160] Furthermore, this embodiment of the cell contacting system 140 comprises several cell connectors 142 which cross each other when viewed along a direction 154 perpendicular to the contact plane 138 of the electrochemical device 100.

[0161] Thus, the first cell connector crosses over 142 1 with the fourth cell connector 142 4 and with the fifth cell connector 142 5 The second cell connector 142 2 crosses over with the third cell connector 142 3 and with the fourth cell connector 142 4 The third cell connector 142 3 crosses over with the second cell connector 142 2 The fourth cell connector 142 4intersects with the first cell connector 142 1 and with the second cell connector 142 2 The fifth cell connector 142 5 intersects with the first cell connector 142 1 and with the negative current connection 144a.

[0162] Because of these crossings, the intermediate areas 152 of the intersecting cell connectors 142 or current connections 144 must run at different height levels, that is, at different distances from the contact plane 138 of the electrochemical device 100, as can be seen from Fig. 19 shows in which the intermediate area 152 of the second cell connector 142 2 at a greater distance from the contact plane 138 than the third cell connector 142 3 and the fourth cell connector 142 4 .

[0163] The required different distances from the contact plane 138 of the electrochemical device 100 can be generated in particular by providing the cell connectors 142 or current connections 144, which must run at a greater distance from the contact plane 138 in sections, with beads or bends 184 - preferably running essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction 114 of the electrochemical device 100.

[0164] Moreover, the one in the Fig. Figures 17 to 19 illustrate the sixth embodiment of the cell contacting system 140 with regard to its structure, function and method of manufacture, in accordance with the Fig. The first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 6 is identical, and reference is made to its preceding description.

[0165] However, due to the crossings between the cell connectors 142 and the current terminals 144, the sixth embodiment of the cell contacting system 140 cannot be separated as a conductor assembly from a planar starting material.

[0166] One in the Fig. 20 and Fig. The seventh embodiment of the cell contacting system 140, shown in Figure 21, differs from the one described in the Fig. The sixth embodiment shown in Figures 16 to 19 is characterized by the fact that an electrically insulating insulating element 186, preferably in the form of a substantially flat insulating plate 188, is arranged between the intersecting cell connectors 142 and the power connections 144.

[0167] This prevents a short circuit between the intersecting elements of the cell contacting system 140 from occurring due to relative movements between the intersecting cell connectors 142 and / or current connections 144 during the operation of the electrochemical device 100, for example due to vibrations or shocks acting on a motor vehicle in which the electrochemical device 100 is arranged.

[0168] The insulating element 186 can, for example, comprise an electrically non-conductive plastic material and, in particular, be formed essentially entirely from such an electrically non-conductive plastic material.

[0169] Moreover, the one in the Fig. 20 and Fig. 21 shows the seventh embodiment of the cell contacting system 140 with regard to structure, function and method of manufacture compared to the one described in the Fig. The sixth embodiment shown in Figures 16 to 19 is identical, and reference is made to its preceding description.

[0170] One in the Fig. 22 and Fig. The eighth embodiment of the cell contacting system 140, shown in Figure 23, also serves to produce a series connection of the cell groups 102 of the Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 second embodiment of the electrochemical device 100.

[0171] This eighth embodiment of the cell contacting system 140 differs from the one described in the Fig. In the sixth embodiment shown in 16 to 19, the cell connectors 142 of the cell contacting system 140 do not overlap each other, but only one of the current connections 144 crosses the cell connectors 142 in order to ensure that both current connections 144a, 144b are arranged on the same end face of the electrochemical device 100.

[0172] How best to Fig. As can be seen in Figure 23, in which the cell connectors 142 and the current terminals 144 of the cell contacting system 140 are shown transparently in order to reveal the polarity of the cell terminals 120, 122 of the electrochemical cells 104 arranged below, in this embodiment of the cell contacting system 140 a 6s3p series connection of the six cell groups 102, each consisting of three electrochemical cells 104, is produced as follows: The negative current connection 144a is connected to the negative first cell terminals 120 of the sixth cell group 102 6 connected. The fifth cell connector 142 5 connects the positive second cell terminals 122 of the sixth cell group 102 6 with the negative first cell terminals 120 of the fifth cell group 102 5 The fourth cell connector 142 4 connects the positive second cell terminals 122 of the fifth cell group 102 5with the negative first cell terminals 120 of the fourth cell group 102 4 The third cell connector 142 3 connects the positive second cell terminals 122 of the fourth cell group 102 4 with the negative first cell terminals 120 of the third cell group 102 3 The second cell connector 142 2 connects the positive second cell terminals 122 of the third cell group 102 3 with the negative first cell terminals 120 of the second cell group 102 2 The first cell connector 142 1 connects the positive second cell terminals 122 of the second cell group 102 2 with the negative first cell terminals of the first cell group 102 1 The positive current terminal 144b is connected to the positive second cell terminals 122 of the first cell group 102. 1 tied together.

[0173] In this embodiment of the cell contacting system 140, one of the current terminals 144, for example the negative current terminal 144a, comprises a crossing section 190, which preferably extends in the longitudinal direction 114 of the electrochemical device 100 at a greater distance from the contact plane 138 of the electrochemical device 100 over the cell connectors 142 which extend obliquely to the longitudinal direction 114.

[0174] Alternatively, it could also be provided that the crossing section 190 of the power connection 144a extends under the cell connectors 142 at a shorter distance from the contact plane 138.

[0175] The greater distance of the crossing section 190 from the contact plane 138 is achieved, for example, by providing the current connection 144a with a bead or bend 184, preferably running essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction 114.

[0176] In order to ensure that the crossing section 190 of the current connection 144a runs at a smaller distance from the contact plane 138 than the intermediate areas 152 of the cell connectors 142, it could be provided that the distance of the intermediate areas 152 from the contact plane 138 is increased by means of beads or bends, preferably running substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction 114 of the electrochemical device 100.

[0177] In this embodiment of the cell contacting system 140, all cell connectors 142 extend from the cell terminals 120, 122 of a cell group 102 to cell terminals 122, 120 of a further cell group immediately adjacent to this cell group 102.

[0178] Moreover, the one in the Fig. 22 and Fig. 23 depicted the eighth embodiment of the cell contacting system 140 with regard to structure, function and method of manufacture compared to the one described in the Fig. The sixth embodiment shown in Figures 16 to 19 is identical, and reference is made to its preceding description.

[0179] One in the Fig. 24 and Fig. The ninth embodiment of the cell contacting system 140, as shown in Figure 25, differs from the one described in the Fig. 22 and Fig. 23 illustrated eighth embodiment in that the current connection 144a does not cross over the cell connectors 142 of the cell contacting system 140, but terminates on an end face of the electrochemical device 100 opposite the end face on which the other current connection 144b terminates.

[0180] Since in this embodiment no cell connector 142 and no current connection 144 overlaps another element of the cell contacting system 140, it is possible to separate this cell contacting system 140 in the form of a conductor assembly of cell connectors 142 and current connections 144 (with the same connecting elements) from a planar starting material 155, as shown in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 is shown in connection with the first embodiment of the cell contacting system 140.

[0181] However, for this to happen, electrical conductors must be brought to the electrochemical device 100 from two opposite sides to connect it to an external power source or to an external consumer.

[0182] Moreover, the one in the Fig. 24 and Fig. 25 ninth embodiment of the cell contacting system 140 with regard to structure, function and method of manufacture with the one described in the Fig. 22 and Fig. 23 corresponds to the eighth embodiment shown, to the preceding description of which reference is made in this respect.

[0183] One in the Fig. 26 and Fig. The tenth embodiment of the cell contacting system 140, as shown in Figure 27, differs from the one described in the Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 fifth embodiment in which the cell connectors 142 not only have several elastically and / or plastically deformable compensation sections 180 in their contact areas 148, 150, which allow a relative movement between each of two sections 178 of the respective contact area 148, 150, which are provided for contacting different cell terminals 120, 122 of the same cell group 102, but also in the intermediate areas 152 of the cell connectors 142' a compensation section 180' is provided, which allows a relative movement between the first contact area 148 and the second contact area 150 of the respective cell connector 142'.

[0184] For this purpose, the compensation section 180' can in particular have one or more compensation waves 182' extending transversely, preferably substantially perpendicularly, to the longitudinal direction 114 of the electrochemical device 100.

[0185] Alternatively or additionally, each compensation section 180' can have a cross-section taken along the longitudinal direction 114, which includes at least a U-shape, S-shape, Ω-shape and / or meander shape.

[0186] By means of such a compensation section 180' it is possible to move the first contact area 148 and the second contact area 150 of the respective cell connector 142' relative to each other during operation of the electrochemical device 100 and / or for tolerance compensation during assembly of the cell contacting system 140.

[0187] In this embodiment of the cell contacting system 140, the intermediate areas 152 of the cell connectors 142' can be just as wide as in the embodiment described in the Fig. 1 to 6 shown first embodiment of the cell contacting system 140.

[0188] The compensation sections 180, which each connect two sections 178 of a contact area 148, 150, which are provided for contacting different cell terminals 120, 122 of the same cell group 102, preferably extend from a lateral edge 192 of the respective associated contact area 148, 150, which preferably extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction 114, to a lateral edge 194 of the intermediate area 152, which preferably runs obliquely to the longitudinal direction 114.

[0189] Moreover, the one in the Fig. 26 and Fig. 27 shows the tenth embodiment of the cell contacting system 140 with regard to structure, function and method of manufacture compared to the one described in the Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 corresponds to the fifth embodiment shown, to the foregoing description of which reference is made in this respect.

Claims

[1] Cell contacting system for an electrochemical device (100) comprising several cell groups (102), each comprising one or more electrochemical cells (104), wherein each electrochemical cell (104) has a first cell terminal (120) and a second cell terminal (122), wherein the electrochemical cells (104) follow one another along a longitudinal direction (114) of the electrochemical device (100), the first cell terminals (120) of the electrochemical cells (104) in a first cell terminal area (126) of the electrochemical device (100) follow one another along the longitudinal direction (114) and the second cell terminals (122) of the electrochemical cells (104) follow one another in a second cell terminal area (128) of the electrochemical device (100) along the longitudinal direction (114), wherein the cell contacting system (140) comprises at least one cell connector (142) for electrically connecting cell terminals of a first cell group (102a) with cell terminals of a second cell group (102b), wherein the cell connector (142) comprises a first contact area (148) for contacting the cell terminals of the first cell group (102a) and a second contact area (150) for contacting the cell terminals of the second cell group (102b) and wherein at least one cell connector (142) extends obliquely to the longitudinal direction (114) from cell terminals (120) of the first cell group (102a) in the first cell terminal area (126) to cell terminals (122) of the second cell group (102b) in the second cell terminal area (128), characterized by , that at least one cell connector (142) is provided with beads or bends (184) running substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction (114). [2] Cell contacting system according to claim 1, characterized by , that the cell connector (142) comprises an intermediate area (152) connecting the first contact area (148) and the second contact area (150), the longitudinal axis (153) of which is oriented obliquely to the longitudinal direction (114) of the electrochemical device (100). [3] Cell contacting system according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by , that at least one cell connector (142) extends from cell terminals (120) of the first cell group (102a) to cell terminals (122) of a second cell group (102b) immediately adjacent to the first cell group (102a). [4] Cell contacting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, that at least one cell connector (142) extends from cell terminals (120) of the first cell group (102a) to cell terminals (122) of a second cell group (102b) not immediately adjacent to the first cell group (102a). [5] Cell contacting system according to claim 4, characterized by , that the at least one cell connector (142) extends over a cell group (102e) of the electrochemical device (100) arranged between the first cell group (102a) and the second cell group (102b). [6] Cell contacting system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by, that the electrochemical cells (104) of the electrochemical device (100) are arranged between two end faces of the electrochemical device (100), which are oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction (114) of the electrochemical device (100) and are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction (114) of the electrochemical device (100), wherein the cell contacting system (140) has two current terminals (144) of different polarity. [7] Cell contacting system according to claim 6, characterized by , that the two electrical connections (144a, 144b) terminate on the same end face of the electrochemical device (100). [8] Cell contacting system according to claim 6, characterized by , that the two electrical connections (144a, 144b) terminate at different end faces of the electrochemical device (100). [9] Cell contacting system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by, that the cell contacting system (140) comprises several cell connectors (142) that do not overlap. [10] Cell contacting system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by , that the cell contacting system (140) comprises at least two cell connectors (142) that cross over each other. [11] Cell contacting system according to claim 10, characterized by , that at least one electrically insulating insulating element (186) is arranged between at least two intersecting cell connectors (142). [12] Cell contacting system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by , that at least one cell connector (142) in the assembled state of the cell contacting system (140) crosses at least one degassing outlet (130) of an electrochemical cell (104) and is provided with a gas guide channel section (162) in the crossing area. [13] Cell contacting system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by, that the cell contacting system (140) comprises a support element (168) on which several cell connectors (142) of the cell contacting system (140) are arranged, wherein the support element (168) in the assembled state of the cell contacting system (140) crosses at least one degassing outlet (130) of an electrochemical cell (104) and is provided with a gas guide channel (166) in the crossing area. [14] Cell contacting system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by , that at least one cell connector (142) has at least one recess (174) in at least one of its contact areas (148, 150) which separates two sections (178) of the contact area (148, 150) which are intended to contact different cell terminals (120, 122) of the same cell group (102). [15] Cell contacting system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized by, that at least one cell connector (142) has at least one elastically and / or plastically deformable compensation section (180) in at least one of its contact areas (148, 150), which connects two sections (178) of the contact area (148, 150) that are intended to contact different cell terminals (120, 122) of the same cell group (102). [16] Cell contacting system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized by, that at least one cell connector (142) of the cell contacting system (140) has been separated from a planar starting material (155), which comprises a first material section (156) from a first material for forming at least one contact area (148) of the cell connector (142) and at least one second material section (158) from a second material for forming an intermediate area (152) of the cell connector (142) connecting the contact areas (148, 150) of the cell connector (142) together. [17] Cell contacting system according to claim 16, characterized by , that several cell connectors (142) of the cell contacting system (140) have been separated together from the planar starting material. [18] Cell contacting system according to one of claims 16 or 17, characterized by that the first material contains aluminum as its main component and / or the second material contains copper as its main component. [19] Cell contacting system according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized by , that the first material section (156) and the second material section (158) of the starting material (155) are joined together in a material-bonded manner.

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